Silva offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: the parish church dedicated to São Julião, the São Bento Chapel in the garden of Casa da Silva, and connections to the landscape and running. You can focus on religious art and local history, or include an event in your travel plans. As a landmark, the parish church is near the railway line and National Road 204, which connects Barcelos with Ponte de Lima.
Church and Religious Heritage
The parish of Silva is dedicated to São Julião. The parish church houses an image of São Julião, surrounded by depictions of the four Evangelists. The dedication and the image’s subject both refer to the patron saint; the four Evangelists add further named figures to the ensemble. For travellers interested in sacred art, this provides a specific local point of interest: the religious tradition is reflected both in the parish’s dedication and in a particular subject depicted in the church.
The parish church is considered very old; no construction date has been recorded. The alminhas (shrines to the souls) in Silva include those of Santo António, Pena and Cruzeiro. Alongside the parish church, several individually named places of devotion are therefore part of the parish’s religious heritage.
Casa da Silva and the Year 1578
The name of the parish of Silva derives from a large house founded by the Silva family. The Silva family’s house has belonged to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit since 1935. The origin story of the place name and the house’s affiliation with the Congregation since 1935 thus stand as distinct historical points of reference.
Another specific date is associated with the São Bento Chapel in the garden of Casa da Silva: its lintel bears an inscription with the year 1578. A lintel is the horizontal structure at the top of a doorway. The year is therefore directly associated with a specific architectural feature. Alongside the church’s history, this inscription offers a precise historical detail for visitors interested in such features.
Landscape and Walking Routes
The landscape around Silva also features in local walking routes. The 2012 walking programme highlighted the panoramic view from the higher part of the parish of Silva, near the seminary, as a notable landscape viewpoint. A municipal route described in 2012, “Entre Caminhos,†included sections of the Way of St James in the parishes of Carapeços and Silva. The panoramic view represents the landscape perspective; “Entre Caminhos†connects to the Way of St James. If you plan your walk specifically around the route described, check the current route details in advance.
Running Events in Silva
The Silva Athletics Grand Prix has been held since 1977 and includes a 10 km race. The Caminhada Solidária is 5 km long. In terms of distance, the solidarity walk is half as long as the Grand Prix race. If you want to plan your trip around either event, check the current dates with the organiser before making arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Barqueiros, Vila Frescainha (São Pedro), Aguiar, Barcelos, Grimancelos, Aborim, Balugães, Durrães.
Go to the main travel overview: Barcelos.
